gig ON THE MIGUATiaN OF SWALLOWS* 



be at Ely> when I saw great numbers of these birds flying 



round the tower of the cathedral; since which I have not 



seen a single bird. 



Ho^cscf ihc In consequence of the controversy so long carried on 



bank mix\un pj^ouor uaturalists, wliether the swallow was a bird of 



occnpied :>y = , i • • i i ... 



6o:uls in passage, or whether it remained dormant during winter, I 



>yiiiier. opened on the l-2th instant several af the lioles of sajid 



sicatlows fhirundines ripariiejt but foupd nothing in them 



e>:cept toads which had taken up their vvintey's lodging 



there. 



Tiie migiatio!! There are many circumstances, which tend greatly to 



or swallows establish the opinion, that these birds Kiigrate j for instance. 



depends inore . . . 



x)n thewind, they do not appear m spring and depart in autumn soonep 



\iiau on the ^r lute^r according to the forwardness or backwardness of 



the season, but generally according to the direction of the 



prevailing current of air. The great prevalence of N. E» 



wiads lately has occasioned a very great diminution of the 



numbers of swallows and martins this year much before 



their usual time; v.'hence may we not infer, that they had 



taken their flight in a south western direction ? for winged 



insects ;the food of this tribe) are still very abundant, not*. 



withstanding the cold winds. 



Jiiqu'iFy afrer If iiay of your n.Mnierous readers know of any well 



feces resj.eet- authenticated accounts of swallows having been found in a 



iog their lo!;- . , , . , ■ . i -n i n 



jidiu. torpid state during the winter season, and wdi have tn,e 



goodness to communicate the same through the medium o£ 

 your Journal, I shall be much obliged ta them^ as I ani 

 collecting facts of this kind. 



\ remain, Sir, 



Your constant reader, 



XaOMAS FORSTER. 

 tondm, Oct, ]5j 1BI0» 



IX. 



